The schools of the Holy Land, which have deep roots in history, are among the most significant pillars of the cultural revival in the Holy Land.
They are strongholds that never before as today are necessary and fundamental to teach peace and guarantee a future of coexistence and respect.
The main destination of the economic resources of the Custody
Learning more about their story also means getting to know the main destination of the economic resources of the Custody of the Holy Land and where the donations and sums offered to the Custody end up.
The “Collection for the Holy Land”, also known as the “Collecta pro Locis Sanctis”, is the result of the Popes’ wishes for the bond between all the Christians in the world and the Holy Places to remain strong. The Collection, which is traditionally made on Good Friday, supports all the Custody's educational works in the Holy Land: among these are the schools, which are in great financial difficulty due to the absence of pilgrims.
«As friars of the Custody of the Holy Land – said the Custos of the Holy Land Fra Francesco Patton in the message for the Good Friday Collection, which this year will be held on March 29 – it is our task, according to the mandate of the Holy See, to take care of the holy places, to dwell there and make them places of prayer, to be welcoming to the local faithful and to pilgrims, and also to put in place educational works such as schools, social works such as homes for the elderly and for young families, clinics and dispensaries, works of human promotion through the creation of jobs.
The Good Friday Collection serves to cover part of these costs, thanks to the generosity of the faithful throughout the world, thanks to your generosity.
On this occasion, we friars of the Custody of the Holy Land become beggars and we turn to you so that Good Friday may be a day of universal solidarity, a day on which Christians from all over the world take concrete care of the Mother Church of Jerusalem, which at this moment is in dire need of it.
Please open your hearts and help us according to your possibilities, so that we too can continue to care for this Holy Land and its children».
